Indoor Air Quality
January 2007
Inside Indoor Air Quality
Get Smart!
1
Tips
5
Activities
7
Kids
8
Adults 13 Families 16 Art 19 Learn More!
24
Appendices
26
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Overview We, as humans, face a variety of health risks in our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being unprotected to environmental pollutants reveal different degrees of risk. Some risks are basically inevitable, whereas there are some risks that individuals may decide to avoid when they have an opportunity to get rid of them. Indoor air pollution is one of the health risks that individual can do something about. Recent findings demonstrated that homes and other buildings could be more air polluted than the outdoor air, even in largest and industrialized cities. Another research also shows that people spend most of their time in indoor areas. Therefore, many people may have a greater health risk because of the exposure to indoor air pollution. This part of the section explains what indoor air quality is, why it is important and its benefits. Then, tips to maintain good indoor air quality and useful web resources are shown. It also contains activities for children, adults, and families. This part concludes with appendices to provide additional support information on indoor air quality (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html).
What Is Indoor Air Quality? FAST FACT:
Scientists now recognize that pollutants, even at acceptable concentration, combined together in an indoor environment have a synergistic negative effect.
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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), known as also Indoor Environmental Quality , implies the quality of the air in a building environment such as a home, office, or store. It refers to the content of interior air that might influence health, performance, and comfort of people in a building. Unlike outside air, indoor air is reused again and again. This creates added pollutants. Dust, mold and spores, pollen, pet dander and smoke are the example of common pollutants. Then, what causes indoor air problems? The main reason of indoor air quality problems in homes is that the sources of indoor air pollution release gases or particles into the air. Insufficient ventilation or air circulation builds up the indoor pollutant level (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_air_quality).
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FAST FACT:
Household cleaning agents, personal care products, pesticides, paints, hobby products, and solvents may be sources of hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals. Such components in many household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, eye/skin/respiratory tract irritation, and cancer.
What Are the Common Causes of IAQ Problems? Pollutants can be produced by outdoor or indoor sources such as building materials, furnishings, pest control, housekeeping, renovation, people and their activities within the building, and climate. The following are the causes of IAQ problems. Indoor environment: inadequate temperature, humidity, lighting, excessive noise Indoor air pollutants: chemicals, dust, moulds or fungi, bacteria, gases, odors Insufficient outdoor air intake (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/iaq_intro.html)
What Are Indoor Air Pollutants? Here are examples of common indoor air pollutants and their main sources: Indoor Air Pollutants
Main Sources
Carbon dioxide (CO2), tobacco smoke, perfume, body odors
Building occupants
Dust, fiberglass, asbestos, gases, including formaldehyde
Building materials
Toxic vapors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Workplace cleansers, solvents, pesticides, disinfectants, glue
Gases, vapors, odors
Gas emissions from furniture, cleaners, carpets, and paints
Dust mites
Carpets, fabric, foam chair cushions
Microbial contaminants, fungi, molds, bacteria
Damp areas, stagnant water and condensate pans
Ozone
photocopiers, electric motors, electrostatic air cleaners
(http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/iaq_intro.html)
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Why Indoor Air Quality Is Important? Indoor air quality has become an important health and safety issue. Since it can affect the health, comfort, well- being, and productivity of people, it is a major concern for businesses and building occupants. Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be seen soon after exposure (immediate effects) or years later (long term effects). Immediate effects: Individuals may have experience immediate effects after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Long-term effects: Other health effects may appear either years after exposure or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include increased respiratory diseases, heart disease, allergies, asthma and cancer, can be severely fatal (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html).
What Are the Benefits of Maintaining a Good Indoor Air Quality? Maintaining a good indoor air quality involves not only health but also economic benefits. First of all, good indoor air quality prevents individuals from immediate and long terms health effects ranging from irritation of eyes to cancer. For instance, too little humidity results in health problems like sore throat, dry skin and sinus irritation, whereas too much humidity increases allergens. Excessive humidity in the air can also cause asthma symptom, which is a serious chronic illness for children and affects entire life quality. Apart from the health benefits, good indoor air quality has various economic benefits as well. The maintenance of good indoor air quality prevents financial resources from being wasted on treatment of illnesses caused by poor indoor air quality. Furthermore, the healthier the individuals are, the better they contribute to the society in many aspects. Indoor air quality has an effect on the efficiency of many appliances at home, such as heating and cooling systems. Avoiding the build-up of dirt, dust and pollution in your heating and cooling equipment can increase its efficiency by as much as 25%. It also prevents damages to your heating and cooling equipment, contributing to decreased maintenance and failure costs.
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What Are the Benefits of Maintaining a Good Indoor Air Quality?(continued) Another example is that dry air pulls moisture from walls and hardwood floors, which leads to damaging, unsightly cracks. Too little humidity causes furniture cracking. Artwork and electronics are also subject to the adverse effects (deterioration and static shocks) of dry air. On the other hand, too much humidity causes warping in wood, peeling of paints and wallpaper, and mildew in paper-based materials. High humidity leads to increased microbial and fungal growth on shower curtains, textiles and upholstery (http://www.aprilaire.com/index.php?znfAction=IAQ&category=benefits).
A Community HousingWorks Example of Indoor Air Quality Solara, a Community HousingWorks project built opened in 2007, is an excellent example of maintaining good indoor air quality. When building this community, the concept of indoor air quality was considered important. The carpets, carpet pad, and the paint are low VOC (volatile organic compounds). Also, the air ducts were sealed during construction. Insulation is formaldehyde free as is wood under counters. Linoleum is a natural floor covering made from core products. It is used in the kitchen and bathroom flooring. In addition, the units are situated to take advantage of cross ventilation. The bathrooms contain a fan that automatically runs for 15 minutes after the turning off the light to help eliminate moisture in the air to prevent mold which exacerbates allergies. The kitchen range hoods vent directly to the outside.
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FAST FACT:
According to the American College of Allergies, 50% of all illness is aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air.
Tips to Maintain Good Indoor Air Quality Keep the house clean. Many pollutants can be reduced through regular cleaning. Rather than use synthetic air fresheners to mask an unpleasant odor, find the source of the odor, and clean it up. Good ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. Leave doors between rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows when possible to allow for a good supply of outdoor air. If necessary, install air filters and purifiers. Install and use fans vented to the outdoors in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Call management as soon as possible for any moisture. Clean frequently the evaporation trays in air conditioners, and refrigerators. Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets or consider removing or replacing them. Wet carpets can harbor mold and bacteria. It is very difficult to completely rid them of contaminants. Cleaning solutions can release toxic fumes! Never mix chemical products, especially chlorine bleach, with ammonia cleaner. Follow instructions for use of all home chemicals - including hobby materials such as solder, spray paint, and paint stripper.
Stay away from smoke. Give up smoking, discourage smoking in your home, ask smokers to smoke outdoors or ventilate rooms.
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Tips (continued) Add plants to your home. Plants can do a great job of helping to remove the indoor toxins from home. And, some plants work harder at it than others. A few that have been shown to work well: Boston fern, spider plant, English ivy, areca palm, and peace lilies. A good rule of thumb is two plants per hundred square feet. Routinely clean bedding and items used by pets. Prevent carbon monoxide exposure by keeping gas appliances properly serviced, having your central heating system inspected and cleaned yearly. Never idle your car inside an attached garage. (http://www.earthshare.org/tips/clearingair.html), (http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.6-Steps-to-Prevent-IndoorAir-Pollution-in-Your-Home.10542.html), (http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=3569)
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FAST FACT:
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) also called "secondhand smoke," a major indoor air pollutant, contains about 4,000 chemicals, including 200 known poisons, such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, as well as 43 carcinogens.
Activities Overview To help you spread the message of the importance of maintaining good indoor air quality in your community, the following pages detail activities for you to complete with children and adults. If you are excited about maintaining good indoor air quality, they will be excited too!
Kid Activities Complete a smoke maze Find the odor Your body
Adult Activities Participate in a community game night
Play an indoor air quality matching game
Family Activities Play a vocabulary matching game Complete a word scramble Check your home room-by-room
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Smoke Maze The purpose of this game is to figure out a way for smoke and other pollutants to escape the house. The objective of the game is that children will learn why and how smoke and other pollutants should exit the house.
What You Need Smoke maze worksheet (Appendix C) Pencil
What You Do 1. Copy the Smoke Maze worksheet for each child 2. Give the worksheet to the children 3. Explain the game to the children 4. Discuss why smoke should have an escape route, before and after the game.
How to Extend the Activity Talk to the kids what other ways are there for smoke or odors to escape from the home (windows, fans, etc). Source: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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Find the Odor The purpose is to learn the importance of monitoring air pollution sources. Children will use their sense of smell to detect and recognize odors introduced into the community building center room atmosphere.
What You Need One shallow plastic container An item with a strong odor (nail polish remover, vinegar, etc)
What You Do Before the activity:
1. Put just enough vinegar in the container lid. 2. Keep the children out of the community building center. 3. Place and hide the lid around the room. Let the children into the community building center:
1. Ask them if they smell anything. 2. Ask them to find the source of the odor. 3. After they find the source, call them together and explain how we can use our sense to detect and localize a source of an air pollutant. Lead a discussion on how the intensity of the odor changes, as one gets closer to the source.
4. You can continue this activity by using different smells such as perfume. 5. Some odorless material like water can also be used to point out that some of the materials cannot be detected by our senses.
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How to Extend the Activity -Find the Odor (long version) The purpose is to learn the importance of monitoring air pollution sources. Children will use their sense of smell to detect and recognize odors introduced into the community building center room atmosphere.
What You Need Three shallow plastic container An item with a strong odor (nail polish remover, vinegar, etc) Perfume Water Odor worksheet (appendix D)
What You Do Before the activity:
1. Put just enough water, vinegar and perfume in each of the container lids. 2. Keep the children out of the community building center. 3. Place the lids around the room and cover them by inverting the containers over them.
4. Make copies of the odor worksheet for each child. Let the children into the community building center:
1. Explain how determining what and where indoor air pollutants come from (monitoring) is an important part of protecting people. Some pollutants can be seen or smelled, but many aren’t detectable by our senses. Pollutants can be detected by different kinds of monitoring devices (tools).
2. Explain that children are going to use their noses to detect and identify chemicals in the air. When you breathe, your nose acts like a monitoring tool with special cells in the back of the nose that allow you to identify some chemicals in the air. Instruct children to use their noses like scientists would use a monitoring device to detect and estimate the strength of an odor and to determine the source of that odor.
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3. Explain that they will need to map the classroom to chart the results of the experiment.
4. Hand out the Odor Worksheets. Fill in the maps to show the location of each odor. Be sure the children understand where they are on the map.
5. When the maps are complete, briefly describe the experiment. The idea is to record when they first smell an odor and to measure how strong it is at various times. Go over the intensity measurements and make sure everyone understands how to fill out his or her worksheet. Plan to take your time on this part.
6. Remove the covers from the sources throughout the room containing the liquids. Leave the lids uncovered for two minutes. Remind children to find their place on their worksheet map and fill in the number (intensity) the FIRST TIME they smell an odor. If they detect more than one odor, they should fill in the number (intensity) the first time they smell EACH odor, have them distinguish the odors by placing an asterisk next to one of them. At each time they should record the intensity of the odor.
7. At the end of two minutes, cover all sources again. 8. Call on children in different parts of the room. Try to have all children participate. Have each, in turn, come forward and interpret the data that they have recorded on their worksheets.
9. Lead a children discussion of the results of the experiment. Ask why some children recorded stronger odors sooner than others. Did the odor move in one direction more than another? If so, what does that suggest about the way pollutants move in the air?
10. Did anyone detect more than one odor? Where did the odor(s) come from? The children’s answers should point you to the real sources. If not, be prepared to point out the real sources and explain how scientists might use additional trials or put out more monitors to be sure the results are accurate.
11. Describe the importance of being able to determine where pollutants are coming from.
Source: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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Your Body This section highlights why and how the pollutants affect our bodies. The purpose is to determine what children know about the effects of indoor air pollution on the body. Children will be able to list indoor air pollutants, their health effects, and the part(s) of the body that they affect. This exercise can be used individually or in groups.
What You Need “Your Body” work sheet (appendix E) Body parts diagram (appendixF)
What You Do 1. Let the children know that the diagram of the human body has been simplified for the purpose of this exercise.
2. Have children read “Your Body” worksheet in the appendix E first and briefly discuss about the pollutants and related health effects.
3. Have children fill in the indoor air pollutant that affects each part of the body and what potential effects each one has.
4. Discuss the answers with the children. The text on the pollutants and corresponding health effects with the title “Your Body”, the body parts diagram and an answer key are provided in the appendices. Source: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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Community Game Night The purpose of this activity is to inform the residents who live in the community about indoor air quality. By arranging a community game night, people can share their ideas about what indoor air quality is and how they can maintain good indoor air quality in the home efficiently. Also during the discussion, people can give indoor air quality tips to each other. .
To Plan Your Game Night 1. Decide on a date, time for the game night 2. Inform community members about the game night by posting flyers. 3. Tell children who comes to homework clubs about the game night 4. Prepare yourself 5. Review the curriculum 6. Check out the web sites 7. Organize refreshments 8. Organize the room where the game takes place; chairs, tables, board, computer, etc. 9. Make copies of the materials appendix G and appendix H to distribute to adults.
To Host Your Discussion Night 1. Give brief information about the purpose of the gathering. 2. Inform them what they are going to talk about in the gathering. Agenda: Brief discussion about what indoor air quality is, what the importance of indoor air quality is, and the benefits of indoor air quality. Reading and reviewing the Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet (appendix G) Play indoor air quality Matching Game (appendix H) Play indoor air quality game (appendix I). 3. Give each family a pen and a paper and ask them to take notes during the discussion.
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4. Initiate the discussion by asking questions. For example, ask, “What is indoor air quality?” You can give some hints if nobody is willing to talk. After the discussion, give the definition of indoor air quality. Use the curriculum. 5. Follow the topics given in the agenda by doing the previous step. 6. Pass out the Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet. 7. Read and review the Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet together. 8. Pass out the Indoor Air Quality Matching Game Sheet (Look at number 2 about the Indoor Air Quality Matching Game). 9. Group the adults and let them work together to complete the Indoor Air Quality Matching Game by using the Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet. 10. Give the answers of the Indoor Air Quality Matching Game. 11. Play the indoor air quality game (appendix I). Rules 1. Divide the room in to teams of 4 people. 2. Assign a spokesperson for each team. 3. Ask the question: 4. The team you raises their hand first to answer is allowed to answer 5. Only the spokesperson may speak 6. If the team is wrong, the team who raised their hand second may try and so on 7. Award a point to the correct team 12. Conclude the meeting with refreshments. Sources: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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Indoor Air Quality Matching Game The purpose of this activity is to determine how much people know about the major indoor pollutants and their sources and health effects. They will become aware of the origin and health effects of indoor air pollutants. The first step to maintain good indoor air quality is to know about the pollutants and the potential sources.
What You Need Paper
Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet (appendix G)
Pen
Matching Game (appendix H)
What You Do 1. Have them read the Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet first. 2. Hand out the Matching Game to each player. 3. Have each player match the pollutant to its source. 4. Discuss the answers. Sources: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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Vocabulary Matching Game This activity introduces the common indoor air pollutants and words associated with indoor air pollution. Both parents and the children will learn the vocabulary associated with indoor air pollution. This activity is the preliminary step for the other activities in the family section.
What You Need Index cards
Pen
Paper
Scissors
What You Do 1. Make the index cards by cutting out paper. The measurements are up to you and the length of the definition of the vocabulary. 2. Prepare index cards using the words in the vocabulary part of the appendix J. Write the word on one card and the definition on another. Example of an index cards: Vocabulary card
Definition card
Humidity
Humidity
is the amount of water vapor in the air.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Give each child 10 index cards. Have the child pick 10 vocabulary words from the list. Write one vocabulary words on each card. Ask the children if they know the definition of each word. Then, give the child 10 more index cards. Have the child write one definition that matches their vocabulary word on the card. 9. Have the children take the index cards home and play a matching game with their family. They match the vocabulary word index card to the definition index card.
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Indoor Air Quality Word Scramble This activity aims to have the players learn the vocabulary on indoor air quality while being entertaining at the same time.
What You Need IAQ word scramble (appendix K) Pencil
What You Do 1. Hand out the IAQ word scramble (appendix K). 2. Unscramble these words about indoor air quality Source: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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Room-by-Room This activity goes through each room in a house, highlights potential sources of pollution, and recommends solutions to help prevent an indoor air quality problem. The purpose of this activity is to have both parents and the kids to be able to point out sources of indoor air pollutants in each room of their home and know what can be done to prevent an indoor air quality problem. Children will try to find the sources of indoor air pollutants. They should be able to share what can be done to prevent an indoor air quality problem with their parents.
What You Need Room-by-Room Checklists for each room at home (appendix L)
What You Do 1. Divide the children into groups and assign each group a room(s) to go through with their parents. You may want to assign each group a specific room, as well as the list that applies to all rooms of the home. 2. Stress the importance of having adult supervision while completing this activity. 3. Some of the activities can be hazardous to children if they are not properly supervised. Also, the activity contains advice for both children and their parents. 4. Tell the children that when they are doing the checklist, they can benefit from the room pictures (appendix L). 5. Give children several nights or a weekend to complete their rooms. Some parents may not be available in the evenings. 6. Instruct the children to have their parents sign the sheet saying that they helped their children complete the assignment. Source: http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/iaq/teachgde.pdf
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The Green Dollhouse This art activity incorporates recyclable waste items typically found in most homes. It can be used to illustrate how recycled materials can be made into architectural models that help participants think about and talk about how to create a “green” environment. Finally, it can encourage participants to model their own ideas about space and how it can be shaped to be comfortable, healthy, and economical.
What You Need Shirt cardboard
Empty medicine bottle boxes
Paper towel or toilet paper rolls
Aluminum foil
Empty and clean tin cans
Aluminum cans.
Cereal boxes
Cloth scraps
Shoeboxes
Matchboxes
Toothpicks and skewer sticks
Newspaper
Wrapping paper
Magazines
Screw off tops
Scissors
Scotch tape
Colored pencils, or colored markers
Hot glue
What You Do Start by posing the question, “If you were designing and building your own “green home” what would it look like? Draw a picture of your green home. This is the architectural plan that will help you put all the pieces together. When you build your model of your green home, you will need to think about how the sun can warm the structure or how trees can help cool in summer.
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What You Do(continued) Will you include them in your green home? You might want to put up solar panels or the roof, or lights that use less energy than regular ones on the outside. Maybe you can think about how your house will use less water than other houses, or it might have furniture or floors, or cabinets made of materials that do not cause pollution, or bad air, or hurt forests. Talk to your friends or adult helpers to talk about all the ways you can make a green house. To begin making the house start by taking the recycled materials you brought from home and use them to begin building your structure, just like you might use blocks. First, arrange a variety of boxes, cans, and plastic bottles. Do not worry about making something right away. Just get a feel for the materials and where they might go. Some things can be stacked on top of each other: others can be glued together. You can draw your family members on stiff paper or cardboard, cut them out, and glue them into your model. Add trees, fences, playgrounds, paths or anything else you want, just make sure you use your recycled materials. A matchbox can be made into a bed, a chair can be made out of cardboard. Wallpaper can be made out of the magazines; a table can be from plastic bottle caps. There are lots of things in your house that you can transform into parts of this model. Experiment with everything from paper clips, corks, buttons, and plastic wrap (for glass). Trees can be made from small twigs. They look just like the big ones! When you are satisfied with the arrangement, you can then start gluing, stapling, tying or otherwise putting the structure together. You can work together with a friend. If you have to use scissors, you should work with an adult helper. Decorate the outside and inside of your green home like, you would do in your own home. Put in furniture, pictures, rugs or other things you have in your house, but make sure they are green! You can draw them, make them, or use pictures of them from magazines. Do not forget to add indoor and outdoor plants to help air quality.
Follow up Activity for Green Dollhouse Have all the green dollhouses on display and have each “architect” talk about their creation and why they designed their spaces the way they did. Give an each participant a ribbon and certificate for his or her model. Nina Karavasiles and Aida Mancillas
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Art Activities Build a Green House An activity is similar to “Green Doll House” book. At a minimum, it will be built with found objects and show one type of renewable energy. It should work into financial fitness.
Make Potpourri Explain that this is more of a masking of air quality, but students can make their own potpourri. Choose a recycled container (cardboard box with designs cut into the sides, not so big that contents falls out). Collect fragrant flowers. Fill box. This can be made more complex using essential oils and making paper mache forms to hold the oils.
Plants for Indoor Air Quality Indoor air quality can be improved by simply adding a houseplant. It has a similar effectiveness as an air purifier. (the kind that uses electricity and has a disposable filter). Formaldehyde removal rate has the Boston Fern as the highest and in descending order; Dwarf date palm bamboo palm, Janet Craig, English ivy, weeping fig, peace lily, Areca palm, Corn plant and Lady palm. The lobby or manager office will have one of these plants that will help our indoor air quality. (You might consider asking for one for our room). Please set it up as a still life study. That means arrange the plant with an object that you find interesting. Consider the lightning on it. That means, are you using a strong light that casts shadows? or a soft light? Is there anything else, like a tablecloth, a candle, you understand the idea. Set it up so that your drawing is interesting, beautiful, and with meaning to you.
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Drawing You will do a blind contour drawing. This can be a starting point or a finished drawing. It will be difficult in that you will want to look. Resist the desire to look. You will be focusing your attention to the plant and still life itself. Your eye will follow the edge and your hand will follow your minds command. Do not look at the sheet of paper! That is the 'blind' part. It truly does not matter if your drawing is wildly out of space because you will be investigating every nook and cranny of the plant and still life and that will be the beauty of it. That will show in your drawing. You will start at one point and continue around. Your eye will move like an ant. Set this all up in a way that you will not be tempted to look at your hand. This will be hard but do it anyway. This exercise will not only produce a beautiful authentic drawing, but it will teach you a visual meditation. It will connect you with the plant in a way that just glancing at it will not do. Think about how this plant is helping your environment. How that happens without the electricity of an air purifier. How this plant is part of your world. Here are examples of blind contour.
Source: ken.bricksplit.net/?m=200510 Nina Karavasiles and Aida Mancillas
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EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html#Refguide In this web site, the sources of the indoor air pollution are described in detail. Regarding each source, how to detect and measure the level of corresponding pollution are discussed. Finally, how to maintain a good indoor air quality considering the source are suggested in detail. There is also a pdf version of the booklet called The Inside Story, A Guide to Indoor Air Quality.
American Lung Association- Health House http://www.healthhouse.org/iaq/HomePollutants.asp The link above leads to an interactive web site where a detailed picture of a house and the potential pollutants are available. Each potential pollutant is numbered. When the user clicks on the corresponding number, s/he can get detailed information on the source of the pollution, the related health effects and steps to reduce the exposure.
NRDC: Health and the Environment http://www.nrdc.org/health/default.asp This web site is a helpful resource to learn more about the importance of air quality. It includes both the topic of indoor and outdoor air pollutants. The main sections of the web site explain kid’s health, health effects of pollution, and chemicals at home. In addition, there is detailed information about asthma and air pollution that trigger asthma.
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PVC: The Poison Plastic http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/index.htm The web site is for both adults and children. It explains PVC (polyvinyl chloride) products and it’s danger to human health and environment. There is also a funny cartoon video, Sam Suds, for children and adults about the dangers of poison plastic on the web site.
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Appendix A: Infórmese! Spanish translation of the Get Smart! Section Appendix B: What Is The Sources Of Indoor Air Pollution?! Appendix C: Kid Activity – Smoke Maze Worksheet Appendix D: Kid Activity – Odor Worksheet Appendix E: Kid Activity – Your Body Appendix F: Kid Activity – Body Parts Diagram Appendix G: Adult Activity - Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet Appendix H: Adult Activity - Matching Game Appendix I: Adult Activity – Indoor Air Quality Game Appendix J: Family Activity - Index Card Vocabulary Appendix K: Family Activity - IAQ Word Scramble Appendix L: Family Activity – Room-by-Room Checklist
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Calidad del Aire en Interiores
Infórmese!
1
Consejos
5
Actividades
7
Niños
8
Adultos 13 Familias 16 Arte 19 !Aprenda 24 Más! Apéndices 26
Datos rápidos:
Los científicos reconocen que incluso en concentraciones aceptables, los contaminantes cuando se combinan en un medio ambiente de interiores, tienen un efecto sinergético negativo.
Calidad del Aire en Interiores (IAQ) Nosotros, como humanos, enfrentamos una variedad de riesgos de salud en nuestra vida diaria. Al manejar carros, volar en aviones, el ocuparse de actividades recreativas y estar desprotegidos de los contaminantes ambientales tiene diferentes grados de riesgo. Algunos son básicamente inevitables, en tanto que hay riesgos que las personas pueden decidir evitar cuando tengan la oportunidad de deshacerse de ellos. La contaminación del aire en interiores es uno de los riesgos de salud en que la gente puede hacer algo al respecto. Descubrimientos recientes han demostrado que las casas y los edificios podrían estar más contaminados que el aire de los exteriores. Incluso en las ciudades más grandes e industrializadas. Otra investigación indica que la gente pasa la mayor parte del tiempo en las áreas interiores. Por lo tanto, mucha gente podría tener mayores riesgos de salud debido a la exposición a la contaminación del aire de los interiores. Esta parte explica lo que la Calidad del Aire en Interiores es, su importancia y beneficios. También, consejos para tener una buena calidad del aire de interiores y actividades para niños, adultos y familias. Termina con información adicional de apoyo al respecto. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html).
¿Qué es la Calidad del Aire en Interiores? Calidad del Aire en Interiores (IAQ), también conocida como Calidad del Medio Ambiente de Interiores (Indoor Environmental Quality), implica la calidad del aire en el medio ambiente de un edificio tal como la casa, oficina o tienda. Se refiere al contenido del aire en interiores que podrían afectar la salud, rendimiento y comodidad de la gente en un edificio. A diferencia del aire del exterior, el aire de interiores es usado una, otra y otra vez. Esto crea contaminantes adicionales. El polvo, moho y esporas, polen, pelusa de mascotas y humo; son ejemplos de contaminantes comunes. Entonces, ¿Qué causa los problemas en el aire de interiores? La razón principal de los problemas de calidad del aire de interiores en las casas es que las fuentes de contaminación liberan gases o partículas al aire. La circulación y ventilación insuficiente eleva el nivel de contaminación en los interiores. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_air_quality).
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Datos rápidos:
Los productos de limpieza personal y para la casa , pesticidas, pintura, productos de entretenimiento y solventes pueden ser fuente de cientos de químicos potencialmente dañinos. Tales componentes pueden causar mareos, náuseas, reacciones alérgicas irritación en ojos, nariz, tracto respiratorio y cáncer.
¿Cuáles Son Las Causas Comunes de los Problemas de la Calidad del Aire en Interiores (IAQ)? Los contaminantes pueden ser producidos por fuentes internas o externas tales como: un edificio, materiales, muebles, pesticidas, productos para el hogar, renovación, la gente y sus actividades dentro de los edificios y el clima. Las siguientes son las causas de los problemas de la calidad del aire en interiores (IAQ). El medio ambiente del interior: temperatura inadecuada, humedad, iluminación, ruido excesivo. Contaminantes del aire de interiores: químicos, polvo, moho, hongos, bacteria, gases, olores. Entrada insuficiente del aire del exterior. (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/iaq_intro.html)
¿Cuáles son los Contaminantes del Aire de Interiores? Aquí hay ejemplos de contaminantes comunes del aire y sus fuentes: Contaminantes del aire en interiores
Fuentes principales
Dióxido de carbono (CO2), humo de tabaco, perfume, olores corporales.
Edificios, ocupantes
Polvo, fibra de vidrio, asbestos, gases, incluyendo el formaldehyde
Materiales de construcción
Vapores tóxicos, compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOCs)
Productos de limpieza, solventes, pesticidas, desinfectantes, pegamento
Gases, vapores, olores
Emisiones de gas de muebles, limpiadores, alformbras y pinturas
Ácaros
Alfombras, telas, cojines de hule espuma
Contaminantes microbiales, hongos, moho, bacteria
Areas húmedas, agua estancada y condensación
Ozono
Fotocopiadoras, motores eléctricos, limpiadores electrostáticos de aire.
(http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/iaq_intro.html) 360° Green Curriculum
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¿Por Qué es Importante la Calidad del Aire en Interiores? La calidad del aire en interiores se ha convertido en un asunto importante sobre seguridad y salud. Ya que puede afectar la salud, comodidad, bienestar y la productividad de la gente es una gran preocupación para los ocupantes de edificios y negocios. El efecto que los contaminantes del aire de interiores tienen sobre la salud pueden sentirse después de estar expuestos a ellos (efectos inmediatos) o años después (efectos a largo plazo). Los efectos inmediatos: las personas pueden sentir efectos inmediatos después de una simple exposición o repetidas exposiciones. Esto incluye irritación de ojos, nariz y garganta, dolores de cabeza, mareos y fatiga. Tales efectos son de corto tiempo y son tratables. Los efectos a largo plazo: otros efectos podrían aparecer ya sea años después a la exposición o posterior a repetidas exposiciones. Estos efectos, los cuales incluyen el incremento de enfermedades respiratorias, enfermedades cardíacas, alergias, asma y cáncer, pueden ser severamente fatales. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html).
¿Cuáles son los Beneficios de Mantener una Buena Calidad del Aire en Interiores? El mantener una buena calidad del aire implica beneficios tanto de salud como económicos. Antes que nada, la buena calidad del aire en interiores previene a las personas de efectos inmediatos y largo plazo sobre la salud que van desde irritación de los ojos, hasta cáncer. Por ejemplo, muy poquita humedad trae problemas de salud como irritación de garganta, piel seca e irritación de fosas nasales, mientras que demasiada humedad aumenta las alergias. La humedad excesiva en el aire también puede causar síntomas de asma, la cual es una enfermedad seria y crónica que afecta la calidad de la vida de los niños. Aparte de los beneficios sobre la salud, la buena calidad del aire de interiores también tiene varios beneficios económicos. La conservación de la buena calidad del aire evita que los recursos económicos se gasten en tratamiento de enfermedades causadas por el aire de interiores de baja calidad. Además entre más sanas estén las personas, mejor contribuyen a la sociedad en muchos aspectos. La calidad del aire en interiores tiene un efecto en la eficiencia de muchos electrodomésticos en casa, tales como los sistemas de calefacción y aire acondicionado. El evitar la acumulación de tierra, polvo y contaminantes en sus sistemas de calefacción y aire acondicionado, puede aumentar su eficiencia hasta en un 25%. También evita daños a los equipos contribuyendo a disminuir los costos de reparación y mantenimiento. 360° Green Curriculum
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Cuales son los Beneficios de Mantener una Buena Calidad del Aire en Interiores?(continuación) Otro ejemplo es que el aire seco absorbe la humedad de las paredes, de los pisos de madera, dañándolos. Muy poca humedad hace que los muebles se agrieten. Los adornos como marcos, cuadros y aparatos eléctricos también pueden ser dañados (deterioro y descargas estáticas) por el aire seco. Por otro lado, demasiada humedad hace que la madera se pandee, la pintura y el papel tapiz se despegan y se enmohezcan los materiales que están hechos de papel. Mucha humedad hace que el crecimiento de hongos y microbios se incremente en las cortinas de la regadera, telas y tapicería. (http://www.aprilaire.com/index.php?znfAction=IAQ&category=benefits).
Un Ejemplo de Community Housing Works Sobre la Calidad del Aire en Interiores. Solara, es un proyecto de Community HousingWorks que se inaugura en 2007, es un excelente ejemplo de cómo mantener una buena calidad del aire de interiores. Al construir esta comunidad, se consideró importante el concepto de la calidad del aire de interiores. Las alfombras, tapetes y la pintura son bajos en un VOC (compuestos orgánicos volátiles). También durante la construcción, los ductos fueron sellados. El aislamiento es sin formaldehyde igual que la madera usada en los muebles. El linóleo es un piso hecho de productos naturales. Es usado en los pisos de la cocina y el baño. Además, las unidades están situadas para aprovechar la ventilación cruzada. Los baños tienen un ventilador que automáticamente funciona por 15 minutos después de apagar la luz, para eliminar la humedad del aire y prevenir el moho, el cual agrava las alergias. Los extractores de la cocina dan directamente al exterior.
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What Are the Sources of Indoor Air Pollution? There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. The following are the most common ones: Biological pollutants Biological pollutants include bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen, dust mites and other insects, animal dander (tiny scales from hair, feathers, or skin) and molds. They can travel through the air and are often invisible. Some people do not experience health reactions from certain biological pollutants, while others may experience allergic, infectious, and toxic reactions. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, a poisonous gas. Common sources of carbon monoxide are tobacco smoke, space heaters using fossil fuels, and automobile exhaust. The health threat from CO is fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations it leads to impaired vision, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Second Hand Smoke Second Hand Smoke is the smoke from someone else's cigarette, cigar or piper. Not only do smokers themselves face serious health risks from tobacco, but also even people who don't smoke may be threatened. Exposure to secondhand smoke may have health effects such as lung cancer and heart disease. Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by manufacture building materials and numerous household products. Exposure to formaldehyde gas can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, skin rashes, headaches, and nausea. Pesticide Pesticides used in and around the home include products to control insects, termites, rodents, and fungi. Human are not usually affected in the same way as insects and other species, but these products can be fatal if not used appropriately. Potential health effects from exposure to pesticides are: headaches, respiratory and skin irritation, dizziness, muscular weakness and nausea.
Appendix C - Kid Activity - Smoke Maze Worksheet Keep smoke from hurting your family. Help it escape from the basement of the house.
Appendix C - Kid Activity - Smoke Maze Worksheet Answer Key
Appendix D Kid Activity - Odor Worksheet
Appendix E - Your Body We breathe air into our lungs. Our lungs process every breath we take, about 16,000 quarts of air each day for adults. Our lungs, along with our nose, act as filters, removing some of the larger particles in the air before they get too far into our bodies and harm us. Our lungs also provide oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. Whenever we breathe pollutants, our health may be affected. Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can make them sick, but they may not know that indoor air can be harmful too. Studies show that indoor air pollution levels are typically two to five times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollution has been ranked among the top five environmental risks to our health. Some pollutants, such as tobacco smoke, get past the “filters” and penetrate deep into the lungs. Health effects caused by these pollutants can either be immediate or show up years later. People may feel sick after a single exposure or after repeated exposures. Immediate symptoms include irritation of the eye, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Most immediate effects are short-term and can be treated. Many of the immediate health effects caused by indoor air pollution are similar to those of a common cold, the flu, or stress. This makes it hard to tell if a person is feeling bad because of an air quality problem, or if there is some other cause. Also, many of the pollutants have similar effects, so it can be hard to pin down which one is causing the problems. Some pollutants (lead, for example) can affect the brain and the central nervous system. Potential side-effects of lead poisoning in children include delays in mental development, lower intelligence test levels, shortened attention span, behavioral problems, and, at high levels, brain damage, seizures, and coma. In adults, lead poisoning can cause nerve damage, clumsiness, sleep problems, and, at high levels, uncontrollable shaking of the hands, hallucinations, brain damage, and coma. Other health effects from indoor air pollutants may show up years after exposure has occurred or only after long or multiple exposures. These effects include damage to the liver and central nervous system, hallucinations, some breathing diseases (e.g., asthma, emphysema), heart disease, and cancer. Can pollutants enter the body in other ways? Yes. Pollutants can be ingested (swallowed) or absorbed when they come in contact with your skin. You should never put any chemicals, cleaning products, or pesticides in your mouth. Follow the product’s directions carefully and wash your hands thoroughly after using these products.
Appendix F - Body Parts Diagram Write down the pollutants that affect each part of the body and some other possible effects.
Appendix F - Body Parts Diagram Answer Key
Appendix G - Adult Activity Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet Pollutant Name
Description
Sources
Signs/Health Effects
Asbestos (A)
mineral fiber
deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed
lung scarring cancer and lung cancer
insulation, flooring, siding, and roofing Biological
bacteria, molds,
wet or moist walls, ceilings, carpets, or
eye, nose, and throat irritation, shortness of
Contaminants (BC)
viruses, mildew,
furniture; air conditioners and humidifiers;
breath, dizziness, fever, digestive problems,
pollen, cockroaches,
bedding; household pets
infectious diseases, asthma
dander, dust mites Carbon Monoxide
colorless, odorless
unvented kerosene and gas space heaters,
fatigue, chest pain, impaired vision and
(CO)
gas
environmental tobacco smoke, fireplaces and chimneys, furnaces, motor vehicles, gas stoves
coordination, headaches, dizziness,
cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, exhaled smoke
eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches,
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
mixture of materials in smoke
death lung cancer, respiratory and ear infections,
(ETS) Formaldehyde (F)
confusion and disorientation, nausea,
heart disease, asthma chemical used in
pressed wood products, glues, cabinets
eye, nose, and throat irritation, wheezing
industry, by-product of combustion
and furniture, permanent press clothing,
and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, severe
insulation, environmental tobacco
allergic reaction, may cause cancer
smoke
Major Indoor Pollutants Sheet Pollutant Name
Description
Sources
Signs/Health Effects
Lead (L)
toxic metal
lead-based paint and dust, solder on pipes and food cans, contaminated soil, drinking water
in adults: increase in blood pressure, kidney damage, digestive and reproductive problems in children: hearing, growth, and learning problems, lack of coordination; hyperactivity
Nitrogen Dioxide (N)
colorless, odorless gas
kerosene heaters, gas stoves and furnaces, environmental tobacco smoke
eye, nose, and throat irritation; shortness of breath; increased risk of respiratory infection and disease
Organic Chemicals
paints, hobby supplies, aerosol sprays,
eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches,
(OC)
ingredients in household products
cleaners, automotive products, dry-cleaned clothing, disinfectants
dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment, damage to central nervous system and kidneys, possible increased risk of cancer
Pesticides (P)
toxic chemicals
bug sprays, lawn and garden treatments, rodent sprays, flea and tick powders
eye, nose, and throat irritation, muscle twitching, nausea, headaches, damage to central nervous system and liver, increased risk of cancer
Radon (R)
colorless, odorless, radioactive gas
rocks and soil beneath the home, well water
second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States
Appendix H Adult Activity – Matching Game Draw a line from the indoor air pollutant to its sources.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Uranium in soil
Pesticides
Paint, dust, and pipes
Lead
Cleaning products, disinfectants
Biological Contaminants
Cigarettes and exhaled smoke
Formaldehyde
Stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces
Organic Chemicals
Fibers in insulation and flooring
Asbestos
Pet dander, mold, mildew, viruses
Radon
Pressed wood building materials
Carbon Monoxide
Sprays and powders used on the lawn and garden or around the house
Appendix H - Adult Activity – Matching Game Answer Key Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Cigarettes and exhaled smoke
Pesticides
Sprays and powders used on the lawn and garden or around the house
Lead
Paint, dust, and pipes
Biological Contaminants
Pet dander, mold, mildew, viruses
Formaldehyde
Pressed wood building materials
Organic Chemicals
Cleaning products, disinfectants
Asbestos
Fibers in insulation and flooring
Radon
Uranium in soil
Carbon Monoxide
Stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces
Appendix I- IAQ Game Questions Questions 1. Name 2 items that cause indoor air quality to decrease Possible answers: mold CO2 dust tobacco smoke body odors 2. Name 2 long term effects of exposure to poor indoor air quality Possible answers: heart disease asthma respiratory diseases allergies cancer 3. Name 2 short term effects of exposure to poor indoor air quality Possible answers: irritation of eyes irritation of nose irritation of throat headaches dizziness fatigue 4. Name 2 benefits of maintaining a good indoor air quality Possible answers: economic health efficiency of appliances
5. Name 1 economic benefit when good indoor air quality is maintained Possible answers: financial resources is not wasted on treatment of illnesses healthier individuals can contribute more in society. 6. Name 2 tips to maintain good indoor air quality Possible answers: keep the house clean ventilation (Leave doors between rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows when possible) thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets add plants to your home. routinely clean bedding and items used by pets 7. Name 1 tip to maintain good indoor air quality for kitchen and bathroom Possible answers: use fans follow instructions for cleaning products. 8. Name 2 tips to provide good indoor air quality to prevent carbon monoxide Possible answers: stay away from smoke ask smokers to smoke outdoors check properly gas appliances 9. Name 3 sources that cause biological pollutants (molds, viruses, bacteria, dander, and dust mites). Possible answers: wet or moist walls wet ceilings wet carpets household pets humidifiers
10. Name 3 household product pollutant sources that cause poor indoor air quality Possible answers: cleaners hobby supplies aerosol sprays dry cleaned clothing disinfectants automotive products 11. Name 3 carbon monoxide pollutant sources that maintain poor indoor air quality Possible answers: gas space heaters tobacco smoke furnaces gas stoves fireplaces unvented kerosene 12. Name 3 health effects that are caused by tobacco smoke (cigar, pipes, cigarette) Possible answers: lung cancer asthma eye irritation nose irritation headache respiratory infection 13. Name 2 pollutants in bathroom that cause indoor air quality to decrease biological contaminants (moisture, mold, mildew) organic chemicals (personal care and cleaning product)
14. Name 3 items that can be pollutant sources for all rooms Possible answers: carpet pets draperies air conditioner tobacco smoke cleaning products space heater 15. Name 2 places that you look for mold or mildew in bathroom Possible answers: tiles floor walls ceiling 16. Name 1 pollutant source in kitchen that cause indoor air quality to decrease Gas appliances (carbon monoxide) Cleaning products 17. Name 3 body parts that can be affected by biological pollutants (bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen, dust, dander, molds) Possible answers: brain (dizziness) blood system (infectious disease) eyes, nose, throat (irritation) lung (asthma) stomach (digestive problem)
18. Name 2 body parts that can be affected by organic chemicals (paints, hobby supplies, sprays, cleaners, etc) Possible answers: kidney eyes nose throat (irritation) nervous system brain (dizziness, headache)
Appendix J - Index Card Vocabulary A Allergic Reactions are symptoms that a person’s body has when it is working to rid itself of a perceived invader. Coughing, sneezing, congestion, rashes, swelling, and itching are common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber. It is flexible and fire-resistant. Asbestos is used in a number of products to strengthen them and provide insulation and fire protection. Asbestos in homes can become a problem if it is disturbed. Cutting, sanding, or other remodeling or removal activities can release asbestos fibers into the air. Asthma is an illness that causes a temporary blockage of the small airways in the lungs. When someone is having an “asthma attack,” the smooth muscles around the airways tighten, causing the airways to become inflamed, narrow, and produce excess mucus. This makes it difficult for air to pass in and out of the lungs. B Biological Contaminants include bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander, house dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. They can cause bad indoor air and damage surfaces inside and outside the home. These pollutants can travel through the air and are invisible. C Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and highly poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide blocks oxygen in the blood from being delivered to the rest of the body. It is released by burning natural gas, oil, charcoal, gasoline, and tobacco. Combustion is the process of burning. Concentration is the amount of a substance contained in a given volume. Contaminants are substances that have an adverse effect on the air, water, or soil. E Energy is the ability to cause change or do work. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) or “secondhand smoke,” is a mixture of the particles and gases that are emitted from burning a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, as well as the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Smoke can contain any of more than 4,000 different substances including carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. More than 40 of the substances are known to cause cancer in people or animals and many of them can cause itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing.
F Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. It is widely used in household products, such as glues, wood products, permanent press fabrics, flooring, cabinets, and furniture. H Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. L Lead is a highly toxic, heavy, bluish gray metal that was used in paints, pipe solder, food cans, and gasoline. You can be exposed to lead through old paint and paint dust, water, food, dirt, and dishes made in some countries. M Monitoring involves periodically or continuously watching or testing to collect information. N Nitrogen Dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be released by burning fuels and by smoking tobacco products. O Organic Chemicals are used in many household products. Paints, varnishes, and waxes all contain organic chemicals, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are also made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds when they are used, and, to some degree, when they are stored. P Particulates are very small pieces of a matter, such as a particle of dust or a fiber.
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill household pests (such as bugs, spiders, and cockroaches). They can also be used on houseplants, pets, wood, and woolen products to keep pests away. Pesticides used outdoors may be tracked in on the bottom of your shoes. Pollutant is anything introduced into the environment that causes problems for people or animals. Air pollutants are unwanted chemicals or other materials found in the air, such as gases, vapors, dust, smoke, or soot. Most pollutants are created as by-products of processes found to be useful. Pollution is harm caused to the natural environment. R Radiation is the release of energy in the form of particles and rays. Radioactivity is the release of energy particles and rays from the breakdown or decay of atoms in certain elements. The energy release can make people sick. Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. It is produced by the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil. Radon can enter homes through cracks in the basement floors and walls and openings around sump pumps, drains, and construction joints. Respiration is breathing. Breathing supplies cells with oxygen and takes away carbon dioxide. S Secondhand Smoke, see environmental tobacco smoke. T Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is. Temperature is measured on a definite scale, such as Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin. V Ventilation is the process of circulating stale indoor air to the outside and bringing fresh outdoor air into a building.
Appendix K - IAQ Word Scramble Unscramble these words about indoor air quality:
1. TSBESAOS 2. ALDE 3. LOMD 4. DNORA 5. BRCANO OODMIXNE 6. HASTAM 7. ECRCAN 8. HCGOU 9. FVREE 10. YALGERL
Appendix K- IAQ Word Scramble Answers Unscramble these words about indoor air quality:
1. TSBESAOS
Asbestos
2. ALDE
Lead
3. LOMD
Mold
4. DNORA
Radon
5. BRCANO OODMIXNE
Carbon monoxide
6. HASTAM
Asthma
7. ECRCAN
Cancer
8. HCGOU
Cough
9. FVREE
Fever
10. YALGERL
Allergy
Appendix L - Room-by-Room Checklist Kitchen Check
Problem/source
Items to check (kids)
Gas appliances:
If your home has a gas stove, does it have a fan that vents pollutants to the outside?
If it does not currently have a fan, a window exhaust fan should be used while cooking.
Have an adult turn on the gas range burner so you can look at the flame. What color is the flame?
The flame should be blue, if the tip of the flame is yellow or orange, the range needs to be adjusted.
Is the range used for any activity other than cooking?
Gas ovens should never be
Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Dioxide
Cleaning products: Organic Chemicals
With help from an adult, find a few cleaning products (dish soap, window cleaner, etc.). Read the directions carefully. Are the directions always followed when the product is used?
Solutions/recommendations (adults)
used to heat the home. Use pump-type products instead of aerosols when possible.
Bedroom Problem/source
Items to check (kids)
Dry-cleaned goods:
Does your family have their clothes dry-cleaned? Do they have bedspreads or drapes dry-cleaned?
Don’t accept clothes that have a chemical odor. Remove drycleaned goods from the plastic as soon as possible to let them air out.
Does your family use moth repellants (usually moth balls) when storing items? Help your parents replace any moth repellants with cedar. The scent of cedar wood will keep moths away.
Use cedar instead of other moth repellants. Keep the moth repellant containers away from areas where your family spends a lot of time. If your house has an attic or storage closet, keep the items there. When using moth repellants, avoid breathing in the smell.
Do your parents wash your bedding regularly, (every seven to ten days)?
Wash bedding in hot (130°F) water to kill the dust mites.
Organic Chemicals
Moth repellants: Organic Chemicals
Bedding: Biological Contaminants
Check
Solutions/ recommendations (adults)
Bathroom Problem/source
Items to check (kids)
Check
Solutions/ recommendations (adults)
Personal care and cleaning products: Organic Chemicals
Moisture, mold, and mildew: Biological Contaminants
What are some personal care and cleaning products used in the bathroom? Read and discuss the directions on the labels of each product.
Use pump-type products instead of aerosols whenever possible.
Do the bathrooms in your home have mold or mildew? Look for discolorations of the tiles, floor, walls, and ceiling. When showering or bathing, run the exhaust fan in the bathroom to cut down on moisture buildup. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, open a window a little bit or leave the bathroom door open a couple of inches to let moisture escape.
Clean up any evidence of mold immediately. Have plumbing leaks fixed as soon as possible.
All Rooms Problem/source
Items to check (kids)
Check
Solutions/ Recommendations (adults)
Air conditioners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers: Biological Contaminants
Does your home have an air conditioner, humidifier, or dehumidifier? Help your family clean these appliances and their filters regularly.
Have these appliances serviced regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use only distilled water in humidifiers.
Particulates Carpets:
Does your home have carpeting?
Formaldehyde
Carpets should be kept clean and dry, and vacuumed weekly.
Biological Contaminants Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
Draperies and other window treatments: Biological Contaminants
If the carpet becomes soaked, it must be dried within 24 hours or it should be replaced.
Does anyone in your home smoke? Avoid being in a room where people are smoking.
Smoking around your children is harmful to their health. Do not let anyone smoke inside the home. If someone insists on smoking indoors, open a window.
Do you help your parents vacuum, dust, and clean regularly to keep down pollen, dander, dust, and dust mites?
Keep drapes and other window treatments clean to kill dust mites and reduce pollen, dander, and particulates.
Problem/source
Items to check (kids)
Check
Solutions/ Recommendations (adults)
Pets: Biological Contaminants
Windows: Biological Contaminants
Does your family have pets? Taking proper care of pets can help reduce their contribution to poor indoor air quality.
Help your children keep pets clean, healthy, and free from fleas, ticks, and dander. Vacuum furniture and carpets to keep down hair and dander. Open doors and windows as often as possible to maintain moderate humidity and temperature, and to let fresh air in.
